LIHUE — Signs lined Rice Street on Friday afternoon with phrases saying: “Like the Ocean, We Rise,” “Raise your voice, not your sea levels,” and “Respect our Mother.”
All of Kauai’s high schools were represented, and a couple community members and teachers joined in, to raise awareness about climate change.
About 30 people participated in the rally, which was held on the same day as the nationwide, “U.S. Climate Strike” and protests worldwide intended to bring attention to global inadequacies in the fight against climate change and to urge leaders to enact pro-climate legislation.
Kapaa High School student Jake McCune pointed out Kauai already has more of a priority on environmental issues than some places, with the public working to clean beaches and reduce the use of plastic. But more could be done.
“(We need to) be environmentally-minded,” McCune said. “(Consider) what we throw away, recycling, keeping the beaches clean.”
Recent graduate Ryan Ruiz pointed out worldwide leaders are failing by “turning a blind eye to it (climate change) and not addressing it publicly.”
“They need to make (climate-change awareness) a popular thing,” Ruiz said.
Mayumi Fulgencio, Kauai High senior, said she hopes to draw attention to climate change, but also celebrate the pro-climate steps state and county leadership has taken.
She pointed out the rally wasn’t to protest “our hardworking county workers,” but to “stand for those around the world who aren’t blessed with an amazing government system that truly cares for the people.”
“I wanted to celebrate our local efforts in staying resilient and adapting and adjusting to the many effects of climate change that we feel among the islands, our island especially,” Fulgencio said.
U.S. Youth Climate Strike is a collection of youth throughout the U.S. whose goal is ultimately to reach zero carbon emissions. Friday’s nationwide event was co-sponsored by Hawaii Youth Climate Strike, 350 Hawaii, Our Revolution Hawaii, The Progressive Movement Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and Young Progressives Demanding Action Hawaii.
State lead for the Hawaii Youth Climate Strike, Kawika Pegram, said one major goal is to generate awareness of renewable energy.
“Our state’s current target of 2045 to achieve our 100 percent renewable energy goals ignores the current science and fails my generation and future generations who will have to live with the consequences of our leaders’ denial and procrastination at a time when they still could turn this crisis around,” Pegram said. “Together we are going to change the fate of humanity.”
